Has anyone used either of these flaring tools? Opinions?
We need to get a decent set and have always been biased towards Yellowjacket, although I'm open to options.
Single pipe 392sqft system with an EG-40 rated for 325sqft and it's silent and balanced at all times.
ive used the first one its good i had a universal one like below i think it was harder to use
I am sure either one is fine. I am always partial to Imperial.
The top one (60295) has a great handle for turning. It offers a lot of leverage and is comfortable to use. Ive tried it and I have friends that us it, own it.
Im more partial to this Ridgid that is similar to the top one in your picture. Its also quite nice.
Have you tried these below? I have started to see these used a lot lately.
Or this type although it may be limited in size:
I have a ridged. Had if for years and am very pleased with it. Easy to use and like has been mentioned you get a lot of leverage. Good solid release when it's done thought sometimes it would be nice to have a little more input. I don't think it will do a double flare though, not that that is a usual thing.
Miss Hall's School service mechanic, greenhouse manager, teacher, dog walker and designated driver
Any of them will do double flare if you have the buttons to make the initial fold
I think, if I remember right the clutch releases before the double flare is complete. I could be misremembering though.
Miss Hall's School service mechanic, greenhouse manager, teacher, dog walker and designated driver
That's alright, I want this for refrigeration work not brake lines.
Single pipe 392sqft system with an EG-40 rated for 325sqft and it's silent and balanced at all times.
If you go with the c clamp type there are some models with beefier cones than others in addition to easier to grip handles and some with various quick release mechanisms so you don't have to unscrew the screw as far to get the clamp on and off the bar. I find the bar kind of hard to grip unless you can clamp it in a vise.
The best one I ever had, that I bought in 1968, was a Ridgid similar to the top one. I liked it so well that I bought a spare just in case. By the way, it never made a bad flare.
United Refrigeration has an "Anchor" brand, very similar to the Yellow Jacket, that I use, works very well. Eccentric cone with the clutch. I picked up a Hilmore to try, same style but with a depth gauge—never worked right.
A few years ago I had to get the big Yellow Jacket to flare a 7/8 lineset for a big ol' mini split. It wasn't the eccentric cone style, but it worked good enough.
Not at all a fan of the spinners. They look kinds neat, but I watched a youtube video of a guy demonstrating them once. He said (quote) "You can't mess them up"—then proceeded to mess it up, cut it off & redo it. I think I would've redone the video.
The spinner seems like it is going to get a lot of debris in the tubing.
I used the YJ style one for 30+ years. Still have it and like it.
About 2 years ago I switched to the NAVAC one. I like that better. And it’s easier to use in tight places.
